Barre Babe: Lab through an OG’s eyes
Faces come and go at Lab Studios, but some leave an indelible mark. Debbie, one of our pioneer Barre instructors, has been part of Lab’s story since the beginning. She witnessed the birth of Barre Lab in 2018, went away for a while, and now she’s come full circle — back to where it all started.
Debbie shares how her teaching journey has changed. “With more Pilates training and teaching experience, I’ve learned to slow down my cueing. I used to talk so fast!” she laughs. Now, her focus is on being clear and precise while keeping her classes lively and fun, which she believes is the most important part.
To Debbie, Barre is more than just a workout – it’s the perfect blend of movement, fitness, and dance, three things she’s passionate about. Outside the studio, her days are just as dynamic. She juggles roles as a digital content producer, community manager, and instructor for both dance and Reformer Pilates.
Returning to Lab has also brought back fond memories of its evolution. Debbie recalls Duxton in 2018, as the launch studio for Barre Lab, to being a mixed use space of Yoga and Barre, to now, a Barre-only studio and the headquarters of Lab. This October, she experienced a full-circle moment, teaching her first Barre class at Duxton since her return. It was a milestone that felt both nostalgic and exciting.
Many of us have heard about the closure of Duxton come April 2025. Debbie will certainly miss the studio too, after all, it holds a special place in her heart. But she believes that teaching goes beyond all of that. Her passion for the practice and the joy she brings to every class remind us of what makes Lab special: the people who pour their heart into creating a place where movement and connection thrive.
